I have a problem.

I need to learn more about “x” so I can write a solid article about “y.” There’s lots of info online about “x,” plus there’s this really interesting book sitting on my desk that I’m sure I could get a lot out of. The book is calling my name, and I really want to read it. But here’s my problem.

I know it’s weird, but it feels like I’m breaking the rules if I’m away from my computer much during normal work hours. Reading Boagworld, Bobulate, Kottke, or Daring Fireball in the middle of the afternoon feels fine- but the second I pick up a physical book, in my mind, I’m suddenly indulging a guilty pleasure. Keep Reading

You’re never ready till you’re ready.

Even then, you might not be ready. Decisions need to be made, though, and the world won’t wait for you to waffle indefinitely.

Scott Belsky tweeted something today I found really relevant to not only business, but to life in general.

“I find the cost of indecision is often greater than the consequence of any decision you might make. Prototype and iterate.” Keep Reading

There is a place, and this place is great. This place is as serene as they come. In this place, you’re focused, motivated, intuitive… you’re on one hell of a roll. You can’t be stopped. You think you won’t be able to get the ideas down before they flee your mind like they usually do, but no worries- in this place you’re in control. Nearly everything that comes from you during this time is pure genius. You’ll look at your work later and wonder what the hell happened, and be very, very satisfied.

It’s not easy to get here, though. This place is heavily guarded. Keep Reading

We’ve been thinking a lot about Page Description Diagrams lately, and how they might fit into a workflow which frequently interacts with clients. Simply put, we’re fascinated with website planning, and always interested in ways to make Jumpchart better. Keep Reading

If you’ve written, or are writing an article about Paprika, let us know and we’ll send you a $5 iTunes gift card for your effort and interest.

There are just a few terms:

• Any article written after June 22nd, 2010 is eligible.

• If you live somewhere where iTunes doesn’t exist, no worries- we’ll figure something else out.

• We try really hard to produce quality work, and we know you will, too.

• Please note! We’re not paying for good reviews… We’re paying for publicity. We pay all sorts of major blogs and ad networks for exposure. We love all the sites we advertise on, but we think this is a way to micro-advertise. Say something good, say something bad, just say something!

Thanks again everyone- tell us about your article at support@getpaprika.com!

You guys gave us some really great feedback and suggestions! To say thanks, we’ve put five extra projects in your pocket.

Enjoy your extra projects- and thanks again. Now get busy checking off your todos!

It’s Launch Day for Paprika!

We’ve sent it through testing, testing, and more testing. It’s ready- really ready- right here!

So what’s it all about?

Well, we thought the world needed a PM app that was just that- a box of essentials only, to help you keep your ducks in a row. What’s the point of your task manager- to organize your stuff, right? When you have to sift through settings, drop-downs, permissions and who only knows what else to organize your todos… it can quickly defeat the purpose.

Paprika is the love child of Simplicity and Efficiency. Keep Reading

Very soon, we’ll be launching our new app, Paprika. We’ve had the idea for Paprika floating around in our heads for a while. We even told you about it along the way in our five-part series:

• The Idea.
• The Name.
• One Button.
• Panicky Sweat.
• Beta Testing.

In the spirit of the above mentioned series, we thought we’d add one more piece about the single moment we realized we needed Paprika. Keep Reading

…You’re in a meeting with yourself.

Gina Trapani wrote this article for Fast Company, and we not only agree with what she’s saying, but have been practicing what she’s preaching: integrating defensive scheduling into our own workflow.

Multi-tasking is difficult enough, and when you’re juggling meetings, sporadic conversations, e-mails and all sorts of other emergencies at the same time, it’s nearly impossible to think about your own work. You’re left thinking: “I’ll code that site later,” or “I’ll do browser testing for that app in a little bit.” Worst of all, these aren’t exactly things that can (or should) be stopped halfway through, to be finished later. You can see the quality of your work diminishing right before your eyes… Keep Reading